SMALL BREWERS BIG IMPACT

CRAFT BEER may account for less than 1O% of the overall beer industry but it packs quite an economic punch.  According to a new analysis by the Brewers Association (BA), small and independent American craft brewers contributed $33.9 billion to the US economy in 2O12 – with California, Texas and New York among the top-grossing states.  The figure is derived from the total impact of beer made by craft brewers as it moves through the three-tier system (breweries, wholesalers and retailers), as well as all non-beer products that brewpub restaurants sell.  In addition to the national impact, the BA examined output of the craft brewing industry by state, as well as the state economic contribution per capita for adults over 21.  For some or all of 2O12, 2347 craft breweries operated in the US, comprised of 1132 brewpubs, 1118 microbreweries and 97 regional craft breweries.  During this timeframe, they sold an estimated 13,235,917 barrels of beer, with a retail dollar value estimated at $11.9 billion.  The industry also provided more than 36O,OOO jobs, with 1O8,44O jobs directly at breweries and brewpubs, including serving staff.